Thoughts on Mark Shapiro's Interview

If you tuned it at three you know that something came up. I don't know, I missed, I guess there was flooding.. No news on the presser I guess. Oh well.. Shapiro did come on for the interview.. Here is the gist of his answers and my thoughts.

*Luis Isaac
Shaprio said that it was a difference in philosophy was the reason for the dismissal. He said he didn't prevent Wedge from making the decision and this lied with Wedge. He used the term 'Comprehensive' in response to looking for a replacement.
I have no problem firing Luis Isaac for different of philosophy. Like its been stated, it makes all the sense in the world for Wedge to get "his guy" in there. I just am not pleased with the way they did it and the fact that he is no longer apart of the Cleveland Indians. Moving on.

*Michael Brantley
Shapiro said that Brantley provided Major League Value in a short time frame. Brantley will determine his time frame to the majors, but he, Matt LaPorta, and Trevor Crowe will start in Triple-A and be consideration for Major League impact next year.
I can buy all that and it isn't different from what I've heard from him in the first Brantley conference call he did a week ago.

*Grady Sizemore
Overtime he'll move to the three hole. We need one or two more players to put at the top of the lineup.
Same tune wedge had been singing for awhile. I agree. No moving Sizemore until we have a capable replacement.

*Outfield
Mark said that Choo is the early favorite at an everyday spot. May look at some alternatives, but they feel they have the pieces to move forward. Not a high priority in the off-season.
He brought up all three youngsters, LaPorta, Brantley, Crowe as well as Francisco, Gutierrez and ugh Dellucci. I don't really thinkk moving forward with Dellucci is a genius idea, but you have to do what you have to do. I get the feeling Francisco or Gutierrez will be dealt.

*Carroll
They plan to pick the option up.
I agree. Good to hear.

*Second Baseman
The infield is flexible, no limit to what positions they are looking at.
That's the basic deal Shapiro said. I mean whatever that's cool. He isn't going to go deep into it. Drennan asked him about acquiring one, specifically Brian Roberts, and he said the infield is flexible. I think its a mistake to go after a second baseman because....

*Barfield
Hoped the trade looked differently at this point.
Didn't we all, but he's young and we can't give up on him now.

*Third Base
Shapiro emphasized that they are going to ADD THE PLAYER WITH THE GREATEST VALUE this offseason and move forward.
Okay this means that Shapiro isn't going to define what he does based off need. He's going to find the guy that fits the team, make some deals and whatever works out works out. We'll get into position moving later, but I understand where he is going with this. Because there is no good option at third, they have to be open minded.

*Marte
Shapiro said he has been good defensively. He wondered if we can afford to look at him more, they haven't seen him enough.
I'm perfectly fine with keeping him around and letting him compete, but if he doesn't come into Spring Training in-shape and doesn't do well in that competition, LATER. Yeah we need to look at him some more, but not too much more.

*Moving Victor
Not going to move Victor to first without talking to Victor after all the hard work he put into being a catcher.
Drennan suggested the idea of moving Victor Martinez to THIRD?! Like we aren't killed at the corner spot enough with Garko, you want to put Martinez at third? Not happening and I agree with his position on Victor.

*Carlos Santana
Shapiro saw him play in Arizona last week and he used the words "Extremely Impressive"
Great to hear..

*Starting Rotation
Key guy for next year is Fausto Carmona, they need to get him close to form in 07. They are exploring FA market in starting pitching. Haven't decided if they will spend money yet or not.
Shapiro was pretty adamant about Carmona producing next year. They will explore the starting market. Which means yes they will try and sign a veteran starter, which I'm HIGHLY advising in my crow's nest.

*Closer
Still feels like they have to impact the bullpen. Add an experienced closer to the bullpen. Time will tell if they can. Jensen Lewis has made himself an option.
I'm highly encouraged that he mentioned Jensen Lewis. I didn't think he would but he did and he said Lewis was an option. Drennan asked him specifically if he would stick by his comments that he made about getting a closer and he said "I'll say we need to add an experienced MLB arm to the bullpen." Which just says how much they like Lewis, I'm happy with that.

*Adam Miller
Moving to the bullpen right now. The option for him to move to the rotation is there a few years down the road, but right now he is in the bullpen. He should impact the major league team if he's healthy.
Needs to be done right now and he should be a Major League Option next year.

*Bullpen
Lewis, Perez, Betancourt, Koby are the givens. Crapshoot after that.
Crapshoot was the term he used. Yes Crapshoot.

*Freed Money from CC, Blake and Byrd
Shoppach will get an increase, lots of players get bumps in contracts, some of it went to draft bonuses.
I'm fine with Shapiro's philosophy. Don't don't don't don't don't don't DON'T! get into that hole. Okay, you will spend money ONLY IF ITS WARRANTED. Don't go saying we have 15 million to spend, and we need to spend it. Don't go spending money because you have it, it just isn't smart. Now, Drennan is saying he isn't satisfied because hey you offered CC 18 million, why not go put that money into other spots. No, no no no. CC WOULD GET 18 MILLION.. You don't go say alright since we didn't give it to CC, let's use it somewhere else. No. that's not a good idea and Shapiro is right on.

*Overall
Imprtant work to do, WILL NOT BE COMPLACENT
That's basically what he said at the end.... Take it for what it is worth. Encouraging if you want to see them do something this offseason.

I want to leave you with the final quote that I really felt summed this up..

"We want to put the best players on the field that will produce."

That tells me that no stone will be left unturn, that they will do their due-dilgience and get something done.. Drennan made a great point that Shapiro tends to be active when the team is coming off a bad season. Look, Shapiro isn't going to give you straight up answers. He can't, he simply can't go into Brian Roberts stuff, he can't talk about another player. He really shouldn't bring up players specifically. Yeah he avoided the payroll question, but you need to know how to read that answer.

That is that. I'll see if I can find some press-conference type dealio, I'm sure plain dealer has quotes or audio. It will probably be more of the same.